News

SASC Optimistic 2015 Defense Authorization Will Pass

—Otto Kreisher9/12/2014

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Senate
Armed Services Committee Chairman Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) expressed
confidence Thursday that Congress would pass a Fiscal 2015 defense authorization bill when it returns to Washington after the mid-term
congressional elections. Levin noted that the lawmakers have approved the
crucial defense policy bill annually for 50 years. The House passed its version
of the authorization in the spring, but the Senate has not acted on the bill
approved by Levin’s committee. Despite that, negotiators from the two chambers
have been working on a compromise that could be adopted when Congress
reconvenes. The two bills are similar on total funding, but differ on a host of
issues. Levin said the Army and Marine Corps will have to continue to make
“incremental” reductions in their force structure, because of the budget
constraints imposed by sequestration. But, he said, “I’m concerned about the
hit readiness has taken. We will have a smaller force, but it must be ready.”
Levin repeated his criticism of sequestration. “It was supposed to make us do
something reasonable, but that failed,” he said. “We should find a way to
repeal it.” Other defense supporters have suggested that might happen in the
next congressional session.